Wire clamping device



June 14, 1938. M. 'r. TIPSORD WIRE CLAMP'ING DEVICE Filed Mafch 29, 1935 INVENTOR. MELVIN 7. 77P50/2D A TTORNEY.

Patented June 14, 1938 PATENT, OFFICE 2.120.447 wmn CLAMPING DEVICE Melvin Thomas Tipsord, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to James R. Kearney Corporation, St. Louis, Mo a corporation of Missouri Application March 29, 1935, semiNo. 13,696 6 Claims. (01.173-273) This invention relates to wire-clamping devices, and more particularly to an improved clamp which may be employed as the head portion of a linemans tool for handling electrical lines or cables, or which may serve as an electrical connector for connecting a tap; or lead-off wire, to a'main or feeder line. The device is especially adapted for use in connection with overhead high tension lines.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved device of the character described which, when clamped on a wire, completely surrounds the same, thereby preventing the wire from slipping, or otherwise being unintentionally freed from the environs of the clamp.

Another object is to provide a connector device having improved means which facilitate its application to an overhead line.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter The present invention resides principally in a clamp assembly having a pivotally mounted jaw element which is adapted for movement responsive to movement of a companion jaw element.

5 The pivoted jaw carries a projecting portion which serves, when the device is in open, wire-' receiving condition, to direct a wire to a position between the jaws. When in closed condition the projecting portion serves to bridge, or obstruct,

30 the opening through which the wire has been received into the device.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in open, wire-receiving condition, a fragmentary 35 portion of a tool (forming no part of the present invention) for applying the device to an energized line appearing in broken lines.

Fig. 2 is a partially sectioned side elevation of the device of Fig. 1, shown connecting two con- 40 ductors.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the device.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the device as viewed from the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken at line 5-5 45 of Fig. 1.

Referring now by numerals of reference to the drawing, the clamp structure includes a substantially U-shaped body member, preferably formed as by casting from metal having high electrical 50 conducting properties. The clamp body includes a base portion I0, and laterally spaced, substantially parallel arms II which extend from oppo-' site sides of the base at right angles to the plane thereof. The arms I I are preferably curved near 55 their outer ends, such curved portions being indicated at I2, and are connected at their outer extremities by a pivot pin I3 which extends transversely between the arms. A bridge I4, connecting the arms at the apices of their curved portions, provides a backing for a pivotally mounted 5 jaw element, to be hereinafter described, and

further serves to position one end of a leaf spring I5.. The basev II) is provided with an internally threaded bore located centrally with respect to the arms II, such bore accommodating 0 a jaw-actuating bolt I6. As best appears from Fig. 1, the inner ends of arms I Iv are laterally offset 'from the axis of bolt I6. Gusset portions II reinforce the arms I I at the base, and in addition aid in guiding a conductor into a clamping posi- 5 tion between the jaw members.

From the foregoing description it will appear that the clamp body presents a lateral opening, indicated at I8, between the base I0 and the outer ends of arms II, through which opening a wire is 20 adapted to be introduced laterally into the body of the clamp.

Disposed between the arms I I and mounted onthe pin I3 for pivotal movement relative to the clamp body is a substantially L-shaped member I9 having leg portions 20 and 2|. Thepivot pin I3 extends through a bore formed in the member I9 atthe junction of the leg portions 20 and II. The leg portion 20 projects from the pin I3 into the clamp body, and forms a wire-clampingjaw, and a groove 22 traverses the under surface of portion 20 and aids in positioning a wire thereon.

When the clamp is in open condition (Fig. 1) the portion 2| projects from the pivot pin I3 at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the clamp body. When so-disposed, portion 2| appears as a prolongation of the arms I I, materially increasing the scope of the device when positioning the same on an overhead line and thereby facilitating such operation. When disposed in closed position (Fig. 2), portion 2I extends from the ends of arms II to the base I0, providing a closure for the lateral, wire-receiving opening I8.

It will thus appear that a clamped wire, indicated at A, is entirely encompassed by the device, and accordingly is definitely prevented from slipping or becoming inadvertently displaced from the environs of the clamp structure.

The portion 2| is provided with suitable means for definitely engaging the base II), in the present example such means comprising a lateral stud 23,

formed on portion 2|, which is adapted to fit snugly in a recess 24 in the side of the base I0. By such or a similar expedient, the arms II are relieved of stresses which tend to bend or distort '55 rectilinear movement toward and from the base I0 is a jaw element 21, which comprises a metal block having wire-receiving groove or seat 23. The bolt l3 projects into a central bore formed in the jaw element, and is maintained therein by means of a pin 23 which extends transversely through the bore and laterally into an annular groove 33 formed in the end portion of the bolt. Thus, the bolt is permitted to rotate freely relative to the jaw element 21, yet is permanently attached thereto. The spaced arms ii form aguideway for'the jaw element 21 and prevent that element from turning with the bolt. Means are provided for securing a secondary or tap wire 3 to the clamp structure. Such means preferably include a so-called slotted-bolt connector, indicated generally at 3|, carried by a projection or arm for directing a clamping between the clamping elements, which terminal lug 32 on the jaw element 21. The lug 32 is provided with a groove or wire seat 33 and an aperture 33 located laterally of the groove 33 which aperture receives one leg of the slottedbolt. A nut (not appearing) threaded on the slotted-bolt serves to clamp the wire B between the lug 32 and bolt head 3|.

Whenthe clamp device is in open position, in readiness for application to a wire (Fig. 1), the member ll assumes an angular position relative to the axis of the device, the free end of jaw in bearing upon a camming surface 33 of jaw 31. When the bolt i3 is turned to move jaw 21 toward jaw 33, the latter jaw, actuated by the former, is rotated to a position subjaoent the bridge M, the bridge providing a solid backing for jaw Ill. During the recited operation, leg portion II of member I! swings from clampopen position (Fig. 1) to closed position (Fig. 2).

The clamp herein shown and described is primarily intended for use as a wire connector, and to adapt the device for such purpose the bolt i6 is provided with a head portion 33 of ring form which permits of its ready engagement and disengagement by a presently prevailing type of lineman's manipulating tool, a fractional portion of which is indicated at 31. However, by permanently fastening the bolt it to a suitable pole, the assembly becomes a so-called "wire-tong used extensively by linemen for handling energized, high tension wires. 7

From the foregoing description it will appear that I have provided an improved wire clamp, the improved features residing principally in the pivotally mounted jaw structure which, during sequential operating stages, provides a guiding wire into proper position for arm thereafterprovides a closure for the wirereceiving opening. 7

I have described my invention by reference to the preferred construction shown, but numerous variations and modifications may be made in the device described herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: l. A wire-clamping device comprising a body member provided with a wire e open at a side of the body portion, an eIement movably connected to the body member, said element having portions, one of which forms a clamping jaw and the other being elongated and movable to such position as to bridge and close said wire passage, and a second jaw supported by said body member and movable with respect to the jaw portion of said element in a manner to clamp a wire between said second jaw and the jaw portion of said element, a portion of said element being in contact with said second jaw whereby movement of said second jaw toward the wire-clamping position moves the jaw portion of said element toward the wire-clamping position and the passage-bridging portion of said element toward the passage-bridging posi- 2. A wire-clamping device comprising a body member provided with an open wire passage at a side thereof, an element pivotally connected to the body member adjacent to said wire passage, said element having angularly related portions, one thereo! forming a clamping jaw and the other being elongated and movable to such position as to bridge and close said wire passage, and a second jaw supported by said body member and movable with respect to the jaw portion of said element in a manner to clamp a wire between said second jaw and said jaw portion of said element, a portion of said element bein in contact with said second jaw whereby movement of said second jaw toward the wire-clamping position moves the jaw portion of said element toward the wire-clamping position and the passage-bridging portion of said element toward the passage-bridging position. I

3. A wire-clamping device comprising a body member provided with an open wire passage at a side thereof, an element pivotally connected to the body member, adjacent to said wire passage, said element having angularly related portions, one thereof forming a clamping jaw and the other being elongated and movable to such position as to bridge and close said wire passage, a second jaw supported by said body member and movable with respect to the jaw portion of said element in a manner toclamp a wire between said second jaw and said jaw portion of said element, a portion of said element being in contact with said second jaw whereby movement of said second jaw toward the wire-clamping position moves the jaw portion of said element toward the wire-clamping and the passagebridging portion of said element toward the passage-bridging position, and means for moving said second jaw toward and from the wireclamping position. I

4. A wire-clamping device comprising a body member provided with an open wire passage at a side thereof, an element pivotally connected to the body member adjacent to said wire passage, said element having angularly related portions, one thereof forming a clamping jaw and the other being elongated and movable to such position as to bridge and close said wire passage, a second jaw supported by said body member and movable with respect to the jaw portion of said element in a manner to clamp a wire between said second jaw and said jaw portion of said element, a portion of said element being in contact with said second jawwhereby movement of said second jaw toward the wire-clamping position moves the jaw portion of said element toward the wire-clamping position and the passage-bridging portion of said element toward '5 the passage-bridging position, and screwthreaded means for moving said second jaw toward and from the wire-clamping position. v

5. A wire-clamping device comprising a body member provided with an open wire passage at a side thereof, an element pivotaliy connected to the body member adjacent to said wire passage, said element having angularly related portions, one thereof forming a clamping jaw and the other being elongated and movable to such position as to bridge and close said wire passage,

8. second jaw supported by said body member and movable with respect to the jaw portion of said element in a manner to clamp a wire between said second jaw and said jaw portion of said element, a portion of said element being in contact with said second jaw whereby movement of said second jaw toward the wire-clamping position moves the jaw portion of said element toward the wire-clamping position and the passage-bridging portion of said element toward the passage-bridging position, means for moving said second jaw toward and from the wireclamping position, and a spring associated with said element in such manner that it tends to move the passage-bridging portion thereof out of the passage-bridging position.

6. In a wire clamp a body member having an open side which provides a wire passage, a substantially L-shaped element pivotally connected to the body member, one leg of said element being adapted to bridge the open side of the body member and the other leg of said element forming a wire-clamping jaw projecting into the body member, a second wire-clamping jaw in the body member which is movable toward and from the first-named jaw, a portion of said L-shaped element being in cooperating contact with a portion of the second wire-c1amping jaw whereby movement of said second wire-clamping jaw toward the wire-clamping position moves the jaw of said L-shaped element toward the wireclamping position and the bridging leg of said L-shaped element toward a position where it bridges the open side of the body member, a bolt threaded in the body member for actuating said second jaw, wire connecting means carried by said second jaw, and a spring disposed to bias said element to a position where the bridging leg thereof is in non-bridging position relative to the open side of the body member.

MELVIN THOMAS TIPSORD. 

